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Hoover’s zoning board Monday night recommended that the Hoover City Council approve a mixed-use building in the Chase Lake commercial section despite concerns from many residents and business owners.
Clint Sukar wants to build a three-story, 26,700-square-foot building on 1 acre at 1869 Chace Drive at the edge of Chase Lake’s commercial sector and near single-family homes.
Originally, the plan was for three office/retail spaces on the building’s lower floors and 12 condominiums: two condos on the back of the lower floor and five on each of the second and third floors.
But several nearby business owners complained to Hoover’s zoning board in August, saying there wasn’t enough parking in the plans and that they feared customers and residents would flock to their properties and take up valuable parking spaces.
They also expressed concern that condo complex residents would let their dogs relieve themselves at nearby businesses.
A month later, Sukar brought a revised plan to the zoning board, removing the two condos and converting that space into an indoor garage for six condos. The revised plan will meet the city’s parking requirements, said City Planner Mac Martin.
Sukar agreed to limit commercial use to the 5,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, which includes food and beverage services such as a restaurant or coffee shop. The idea was that food and beverage services would attract more customers and thus more vehicles.
Sukar agreed to make most of the exterior of the building a two-tone brick (except for the glass areas) and to use the same colors as the nearby businesses. Martin said Sukar also offered a corner of the property as a place where pets could relieve themselves.
Dr. Todd Howell of Chase Lake Family Dentistry opposes the idea of ​​allowing people next door to live in a part of Chase Lake originally planned for commercial use.
While many residents of Chase Lake’s single-family units have expressed opposition to the idea of ​​having condos, current covenants for Chase Lake’s condominiums do not allow residents to rent or lease their homes to others.
Sukar and his agent, Asma Lusk, were asked if they would be willing to block the rental use of the condos. Lusk could not say whether Sukar plans to sell the condos, but whether rental use would be prohibited.
April Danielson, an attorney representing the city of Hoover, said it’s not the city’s place to enforce private covenants.
Chase Lake Homeowners Association President Trena Rees said residential use on the 1-acre tract would create more traffic than just businesses, and she’s concerned that Chase Lake residents are already dealing with too much cut-off traffic on the Interstate. 31 and Lower Lorna Road.
Several Chase Lake residents said they want to know the asking price for the proposed condominiums. Lusk, who works in real estate, said she can’t say for sure yet whether the market will change. But she said she can’t imagine these high-end two-bedroom homes with at least 1,420 square feet and selling for less than $375,000.
Several Chase Lake residents said that would actually help their property values.
The Zoning Board voted to allow the City Council to approve Sukar’s mixed-use request with several conditions:
- No food or beverage service is allowed in business premises.
- A sidewalk should be installed on Chace Drive.
- All parking spaces and driveways, including garage spaces, shall meet standards and requirements for adequate vehicle access and movement.
- Garbage bins are not available from 10:00 am to 1:00 am
- The development must conform to the appearance of the exhibits submitted to the Zoning Board.
- Signs shall be governed by the City’s Mixed Use District Sign Regulations.
The Hoover City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on Sukar’s request on Oct. 17.
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